Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the Arkansas Department of Education are pleased to announce that almost $7 million will be awarded to 175 public schools throughout the Arkansas School Recognition Program.
This program provided awards to the top 10 percent of schools that achieve high school performance on the state required assessments in grades third through tenth. Awards also are given to the top 10 percent of public schools that achieve high student academic growth, which includes high school graduation rates where applicable. Awards, which totaled $6,999,963.62, are based on assessment information from the 2017-18 school year and the graduation rates from the 2016-17 school year.
“This is a great day for 175 schools in Arkansas,” Gov. Hutchinson said. “I am proud of the leadership of the educators. I am thankful for the support of the parents and communities, which is vital for this level of success. And I applaud the students who have worked so hard and earned their way into the top 10 percent. Congratulations to the Bismarck School District, which achieved reward status at all three levels.”
Schools receiving recognition funds are required to establish a committee to determine how to use the funds. Funds must be used for faculty and staff bonuses, educational equipment and materials, or personnel to assist with improving and maintaining student performance. The committee will include the principal, a teacher and a parent representative.
The totals for each category are listed below. To see the complete list of schools, go to 2018 Reward Schools.
Star City High School was awarded as a Top 6 to 10 percent growth school for graduation rates as part of this year’s awards.
The number of schools, level of performance and amount of eligible funding per student are as follows:
- Fifty-one schools qualified as a Top 5 percent Performance School with $99.13 eligible funding per student
- Fifty-one schools were awarded as a Top 6 to 10 percent Performance School with $49.58 eligible funding per student
- Fifty-one schools qualified as a Top 5 percent Growth with $99.18 eligible funding per student
- Fifty schools qualified for Top 6 to 10 percent Growth with $49.58 eligible funding per student
